How does crop residue removal affect soil organic carbon and yield? A hierarchical analysis of management and environmental factors

• Published in: Biomass & bioenergy Vol. 81; pp. 345 - 355
• Main Authors: Warren Raffa, D., Bogdanski, A., Tittonell, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2015
• Subjects: agroecosystems; Bioenergy; Biomass; CART; coarse-textured soils; Crop production; crop residue management; crop residues; crop yield; data collection; environmental factors; environmental management; farming systems; issues and policy; multivariate analysis; Soil fertility; soil organic carbon; soil texture; Sustainable agriculture; temperate soils; temperate zones; tropical soils; tropics; Bioenergy; Sustainable agriculture; Biomass; Crop production; Soil fertility; CART
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2015.07.022
• ISSN: 0961-9534

The current advancement of the bioenergy sector along with the need for sustainable agricultural systems call for context-specific crop residue management options – implying variable degrees of removal – across climatic regions, soil types and farming systems around the world. A large database (n = 660) on the effects of crop residue management on soil organic carbon (SOC) and crop yields was compiled from studies published in the last decade and analyzed using descriptive and multivariate statistics and data mining techniques. Removing crop residues from the field led to average SOC contents that were 12 and 18% lower than in soils in which crop residues were retained, in temperate and tropical climates respectively. The dataset showed a wide variability as a result of the wide range of biophysical and management factors affecting net changes in SOC. In tropical climates the effect of crop residue management on SOC was subject to local climate and soil texture. In these regions the addition of C via crop residues was crucial in sustaining SOC especially in coarse textured soils. Yields increased following residue retention in tropical soils, while low SOC corresponded with lower crop production in temperate areas. Our results suggest that crop residue removal is not recommended in tropical soils, particularly in coarse-textured ones, and in SOC-depleted soils in temperate locations. Partial residue removal can be considered in temperate climates when soils are well-endowed in SOC. Future policies must consider the role of residues within different agro-ecosystems in order to advance agriculture and the bio-energy sector sustainably. •The effects of crop residues removal for bioenergy production on soil C and crop yield are site-specific.•In tropical arid areas, crop residue removal is not recommended in coarse soils, as this will decrease SOC and yields.•In temperate areas, crop residue removal should be avoided in depleted soils with low levels of SOC.•The use of crop residue should not be regarded as a broad avenue towards sustainable bioenergy production.